isn't this due to a drop in government spending? specially war reduction?

I have a nice graph with some good info I will dig up and post..

But, if your assertion is correct doesn't this GDP contraction paint the picture of an economy that is dead, lifeless and not growing without massive amounts of Fed stimulus, deficit spending, inflation and the like? Remember that 800 billion dollar stimulus from a few years back? The "timely targeted and temporary" one? It's been in the budget since the day it was signed.

In my humble opinion those aren't things you want to be depending on to drive your economy. And for fuck-sakes, it's been 6+ years and this is what we are still looking at, this isn't good.

But, if your assertion is correct doesn't this GDP contraction paint the picture of an economy that is dead, lifeless and not growing without massive amounts of Fed stimulus, deficit spending, inflation and the like? Remember that 800 billion dollar stimulus from a few years back? The "timely targeted and temporary" one? It's been in the budget since the day it was signed.

In my humble opinion those aren't things you want to be depending on to drive your economy. And for fuck-sakes, it's been 6+ years and this is what we are still looking at, this isn't good.

Anyone with a half a brain knew this. America trudges along like Japan has for two decades now.

1) regulations , taxes, and employer-healthcare requirements all put a strain on the economy

2) standard of living is the highest that it has ever been at any place or time in history on earth

3) the economy is pretty much stagnant

4) the quantitative easing and government debt are both factors which are causing uncertainty and may cause long term problems

5) getting our economy to where it can be is more an issue of changing our socio-cultural value system to honor and prioritize qualitative learning and production-based schooling than it is an issue of repealing taxes and changing monetary policy

The White House on Wednesday blamed the surprising contraction of the economy at the end of last year at least partly on Republican "political brinkmanship" for threatening to let defense cuts take effect.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said similar threats over a looming March 1 deadline when defense and other cuts take effect absent a broader budget deal could similarly hurt the U.S. economy and taxpayers.

"This is political brinkmanship with one primary victim, and that is American taxpayers and the American middle class," Carney said at a briefing.

"Our economy is facing a major headwind ... and that's Republicans in Congress."

Carney referred to comments by former vice presidential candidate and House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, who said Sunday he believes the automatic spending cuts will go into effect because Democrats have not offered alternatives, and remarks made by House Speaker John Boehner.

Boehner said in a January 6 interview that he had the spending cuts "in my back pocket" for use as a bargaining chip in budget talks with the White House.

"It's not a game. It's the American economy," Carney said. "The American people - those who pay attention to this issue in detail - are rightly appalled by those kind of tactics that, you know, do harm to their lives, do harm to the economy in the name of ... achieving some political objectives here in Washington."

The White House on Wednesday blamed the surprising contraction of the economy at the end of last year at least partly on Republican "political brinkmanship" for threatening to let defense cuts take effect.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said similar threats over a looming March 1 deadline when defense and other cuts take effect absent a broader budget deal could similarly hurt the U.S. economy and taxpayers.

"This is political brinkmanship with one primary victim, and that is American taxpayers and the American middle class," Carney said at a briefing.

"Our economy is facing a major headwind ... and that's Republicans in Congress."

Carney referred to comments by former vice presidential candidate and House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, who said Sunday he believes the automatic spending cuts will go into effect because Democrats have not offered alternatives, and remarks made by House Speaker John Boehner.

Boehner said in a January 6 interview that he had the spending cuts "in my back pocket" for use as a bargaining chip in budget talks with the White House.

"It's not a game. It's the American economy," Carney said. "The American people - those who pay attention to this issue in detail - are rightly appalled by those kind of tactics that, you know, do harm to their lives, do harm to the economy in the name of ... achieving some political objectives here in Washington."

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...

wut....

I thought that they were always the ones pushing for cuts in defense spending...

The White House on Wednesday blamed the surprising contraction of the economy at the end of last year at least partly on Republican "political brinkmanship" for threatening to let defense cuts take effect.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said similar threats over a looming March 1 deadline when defense and other cuts take effect absent a broader budget deal could similarly hurt the U.S. economy and taxpayers.

"This is political brinkmanship with one primary victim, and that is American taxpayers and the American middle class," Carney said at a briefing.

"Our economy is facing a major headwind ... and that's Republicans in Congress."

Carney referred to comments by former vice presidential candidate and House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, who said Sunday he believes the automatic spending cuts will go into effect because Democrats have not offered alternatives, and remarks made by House Speaker John Boehner.

Boehner said in a January 6 interview that he had the spending cuts "in my back pocket" for use as a bargaining chip in budget talks with the White House.

"It's not a game. It's the American economy," Carney said. "The American people - those who pay attention to this issue in detail - are rightly appalled by those kind of tactics that, you know, do harm to their lives, do harm to the economy in the name of ... achieving some political objectives here in Washington."

But the homos, welfare leeches, baby killers, idiots who need taxpayers to pay for their contraceptives and friends of 11 million criminals will continue to buy it hook, line and sinker.

Their "issues" are more important than the economy.

This idea of time and blame is stupid. How long did it take to recover from the great depression? how are other countries doing that faced similar massive recessions? it was and still is because of 5 years ago. The improvement is the key issue, was it handled correctly, I would suggest so based on relative comparisons. Could it be handled better, perhaps, but the economy is going to take a long while to recover and it has done so slowly.

The cause of the issues isn't up for debate, the solution is, without hindsight it's pointless to discuss moving forward. Defense cuts really need to be made, massive ones.

This idea of time and blame is stupid. How long did it take to recover from the great depression? how are other countries doing that faced similar massive recessions? it was and still is because of 5 years ago. The improvement is the key issue, was it handled correctly, I would suggest so based on relative comparisons. Could it be handled better, perhaps, but the economy is going to take a long while to recover and it has done so slowly.

The cause of the issues isn't up for debate, the solution is, without hindsight it's pointless to discuss moving forward. Defense cuts really need to be made, massive ones.

Worst recovery on record and trillions on trillions in debt an deficit w nothing o show for it. Hope that helps.

Ya gotta love libs... Blame bush for the first term irregardless of what the issue was.. Second term.? Well can't really keep blaming bush but we will just blame the repubs.. Close enough I guess lol.. Last time I checked the dems had the White House and the senate.. Time to take the blame kids..

1) republicans after obama got elected in 2008 = "OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS MAKING OBAMA A ONE TERM PRESIDENT"

2) defecit is caused by spending that was already in place when obama came into office. no matter who was president, the debt would have been sky rocketing unless major cuts or tax increases were enacted.

3) some of obama's policies have been a drag on the economy, but others are very good for the economy. for example, obamacare = drag on economy. increasing availability of student loans = very good for the economy.

1) republicans after obama got elected in 2008 = "OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS MAKING OBAMA A ONE TERM PRESIDENT"

2) defecit is caused by spending that was already in place when obama came into office. no matter who was president, the debt would have been sky rocketing unless major cuts or tax increases were enacted.

3) some of obama's policies have been a drag on the economy, but others are very good for the economy. for example, obamacare = drag on economy. increasing availability of student loans = very good for the economy.